Long before modern labor unions, guilds worked to ensure that workers had a fair wage. But, in medieval Europe, they also cooperated with the government. Using a simulation and primary source analysis, young scholars become hatters in...

While the Black Death wiped out a third of Europe's population during the Middle Ages, its destruction paved the way for better wages for workers and even an early form of modern capitalism. The relationship between the cataclysmic...

Young detectives are given the "clues" to investigate whether King John should be remembered as a poor ruler of England, particularly in comparison in King Richard. They analyze historical informational texts and work in...

What were the benefits and drawbacks of being a serf/knight/lord/lady/king/queen/etc. in the Middle Ages? Consider all the comparisons with your young historians using this graphic organizer.

Put your junior high class to the test with three critical-thinking and reading comprehension questions focused on Feudal Europe. They must write answers showing an understanding of the Medieval Church and politics, the Vassal system,...

Sixth graders explore plagues in the middle ages. In this social studies instructional activity, 6th graders examine the impact of deadly plagues on past societies and how the governments were forced to make drastic changes in response...

Young scholars are introduced to the Middle Ages through Powerpoint presentations and books. During the presentations students work on various reading skills by reading made up papers about the Middle Ages detailing certain events in...

Combine subjects with a cross-curricular writing exercise. Although limited as an engaging or interactive activity, this Medieval Europe activity has learners responding to 3 clear and simple prompts, each of which can easily lead into...

Learners share their knowledge of the Renaissance Period. In this creative activity, pupils create fliers detailing services offered during this era. They focus on a particular occupation and detail how this job has changed from then...

In this Vikings instructional activity, students read about the Vikings and the Viking Age and then answer the 15 questions in the packet. The answers are on the last page.

Students research the Dark Ages using books, the Internet, and other media. In this Dark Ages lesson plan, students study poetry, music, art, and the architecture of the Dark Ages.

Sixth graders engage in a variety of learning experiences surrounding the study of the Middle Ages. They construct a map of Europe, create a graphic organizer for the hierarchy of feudalism, design their own family crest, and write their...

Through this set of three lessons about Ellis Island, class members will learn about why immigrants came to the United States, find out about the difficulties that went along with coming to America, become familiar with the immigration...

Learners explore communication skills. In this Peace Corps lesson, students read "The Extra Place," by Susan Peters and discover Polish cultural traditions. Learners consider how they would respond in a scenario that challenges their...

Students read and discuss the story of a Peace Corps volunteer's experiences in Poland. They read and write a response to the story, and participate in a class analysis about their own personal decision regarding the story.

Sixth graders explore the Renaissance. In this Renaissance lesson, 6th graders study the culture and society of the middle ages. Students research the geography and climate of the times and discover how these affected agriculture.

Sixth graders fill in a KWL chart and participate in a simulation of role playing about the Renaissance. In this Renaissance lesson plan, 6th graders learn how agriculture affected the culture of Midieval England.

Students explore World History by researching the Holocaust. In this Nazi Germany lesson, students identify the ghettos and death camps that many Jewish civilians were sent to in order to be controlled and later killed. Students...

In this youth and old age dictation worksheet, students take dictation on a passage containing various terms associated with youth and old age.

Students use the internet to research the geography of the Renaissance. Using maps of Europe, they identify at least three key cities during the time period and discuss the main types of transportation. They research the various customs...

Student discuss whether coming to the United States was good for certain groups of immigrants. Using the internet, they examine settlement patterns for immigrants over a period of time. In groups, they role play the role of a family...

In this medieval times crossword puzzle worksheet, middle schoolers use the 10 clues to determine the words and names that fill in the blanks to appropriately complete the word puzzle pertaining to the state. A word bank is included.

Students are introduced to the concept of cultural diffusion. In groups, they identify the culture of Mali, Nigeria and Ethiopia and work together to research how cultural diffusion has changed the country. To end the activity, they...